The title battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris has the entire Formula 1 world in its grip! After a controversial fight during the GP in Austin, their latest showdown during the race weekend in Mexico stirred up a lot of dust again. After several time penalties from the FIA, the question arises whether the guidelines for defending and overtaking are not due for an update. According to union chairman George Russell, almost all drivers agree on new rules.
After a controversial duel during the GP in Austin, Norris received a five-second time penalty. Just one week later, during the GP in Mexico City, Verstappen received two ten-second time penalties. Since then, many questions have been raised about the current regulations in the sport. Under the leadership of George Russell, chairman of the Formula 1 drivers’ union, the guidelines for on-track battles need to be re-evaluated.
‘Nineteen out of twenty drivers’
After the Mexican GP, Russell was able to confirm to the media that the stewards ‘completely agree’ with the necessary changes. “All stewards agree that something needs to change,” said the Mercedes driver. “However, we have to wait until 2025 before we start major discussions, otherwise we cannot be consistent this year.”
Russell is hopeful that, when all drivers ‘are on the same page’, any adjustments can be implemented quickly. “If everyone is unanimous, which means all drivers want to change something, a short conversation should be enough,” he concluded. “Unfortunately, that often turns out to be more difficult in practice. I don’t know what it is, but I can confirm that nineteen out of twenty drivers agree on new regulations.
